Tributes flow in as former Tory MSP Young dies at 80

TRIBUTES have been paid to former Scottish Conservative MSP John Young who died yesterday aged 80.

Mr Young entered the Scottish Parliament as a list member for the West of Scotland region in 1999 and retired as an MSP in 2003.

Before that, he worked in local politics and was elected as a Glasgow councillor in the early 1960s. He was council leader between 1977 and 1979.

Scottish Tory leader Annabel Goldie said: “I was very sad to hear of the death of John Young. He was a tremendous supporter of the Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party both as a councillor in Glasgow for many years and as one of the new intake of MSPs in 1999.

“He was much liked and respected both by his colleagues in the party and by many people outwith it for his principled and hard-working contribution to public life. He was a prominent voice in Scottish politics and will be sorely missed. Our thoughts are with his son Peter and his family.”

Glasgow Tory councillor David Meikle said: “I’m sure I speak for all Glasgow city councillors when I say that he was well liked and respected by people from all political parties.

“John was a great councillor and a champion of the city. And he has also earned his place in history by leading a Conservative administration in Glasgow.”